The Go Digital Awareness Campaign 2002 is being launched by Enterprise and Information Society Commissioner Erkki Liikanen in Berlin at a conference organised by the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH) on January 21st, 2002. The campaign aims to make small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) more aware of opportunities in e-business, to refine best policy practice to this end and to help them develop strategies for accessing the e-Economy. SMEs are still lagging behind larger enterprises in Internet use. Although they cannot always trade products and services profitably on-line, the Internet can nonetheless be a very powerful tool for maximising the choice of goods and services that they buy. This in turn can help them sharpen their competitive edge, by securing better quality at lower cost.

The Berlin conference is the first in a series of events to be held across the EU in 2002. They enjoy the active support and participation of the European Commission and stakeholders, including the Euro Info Centres (EICs), Chambers of Commerce, research Institutes and SME organisations. The purpose of this campaign is to promote the efficient use of e-business tools and opportunities by SMEs and provide practical assistance, via conferences and support networks, to enable them to take full advantage of the e-economy.

The main objectives of the Go Digital Awareness Campaign include identifying and disseminating best practice and showcases for SMEs on how to take-up e-business and overcome the practical obstacles they face. The campaign will also publicise e-business strategies and scenarios, and disseminate Go Digital policy initiatives, via specific training events. Awareness raising initiatives are also intended to stimulate cross-fertilisation of ideas and best practice exchanges at regional and national levels.

Further information on the Go Digital Awareness Campaign can be found under the Go Digital web site of the European Commission: